Oscar Medlock

1932 - 2022

POCAHONTAS - James Oscar Medlock, 90, of Pocahontas, formerly of Jonesboro, passed from this life Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Randolph County Nursing Home. He was born to the late Nelson and Leona Medlock on July 21, 1932, in Jonesboro.

Oscar had resided in Pocahontas for about half of his life after spending the other half in Jonesboro. He was of the Christian belief.

He was a graduate of Valley View High School and attended the Modern School of Business for two years. James served in the United State Navy for three years, nine months and 29 days, during 1950-54, in the Korean War. Most of his time in the Navy he spent aboard the USS Pine Island as a Seaplane tender, which are planes that patrolled Korean waters.

Oscar served in the Jonesboro Police Department for 20 years and one month. He was promoted through every rank and was then promoted to chief of police for the last three years of his tenure. He stayed in touch with Jonesboro Police Department retirees and considers them as a second family. He also enjoyed restoring classic cars and fishing.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Medlock, Odell Medlock and Leonard Medlock.

Oscar is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Medlock of the home; two sons, Donnie (Kathy) Medlock of Pocahontas and Jim (Christie) Medlock of Conyers, Ga.; two daughters, Marsha (Gerry) Marcum of Wynne and Belinda (Rick) Maxedon of Denton, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be from 5 to 7 this evening, Nov. 1, at Emerson Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Brother Randy Stimach officiating. Burial will follow in Herman Cemetery with active pallbearers being Jack McCann, Rick Thomas, Wendal Adams, Tony Perrin, Jim Jones and Rusty Grigsby.

Honorary pallbearers will be Curt Hodges and the area's law enforcement agencies.

For lasting memorials, the family asks you to please consider donations to the Craighead County and Randolph County food banks.

Online registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com